He did say, however, that it wasn't a "hoax" like Donald Trump claimed.

President-elect Donald Trump's high-level government office appointees continue to sit in the hot seat this week, and one of those nominees starting the Senate confirmation hearing process is Environmental Protection Agency administrator pick Scott Pruitt.

Pruitt is considered a controversial pick for the position overseeing the Environmental Protection Agency for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, he's publicly denied climate change and called the debates "far from settled," despite scientific consensus that it's real and happening. Second, he has sued the EPA in the past and believes that states should deal with environmental issues, not the federal government. Lastly, previous fundraising records prove that he's been bankrolled by huge oil and gas companies in the past, which, understandably, are at odds with environmentalists.

Senators brought the heat during Pruitt's confirmation hearing, and here were some of the most important points that came up.

1. He said climate change isn't a hoax but refused to blame people or fossil fuel companies for it

Pruitt directly contradicted earlier statements from President-elect Trump, who said climate change was a "hoax."

However, Pruitt wasn't willing to necessarily conclude that humans were to blame for climate change after he was asked by the Senate committee. "Science tells us the climate is changing and human activity in some matter impacts that change," Pruitt explained, according to USA Today. "The ability to measure and pursue the degree and the extent of that impact and what to do about it are subject to continuing debate and dialogue."

Pruitt also refused to outright blame fossil fuels like oil and gas for rising temperatures and other negative environmental impacts. "I believe the EPA has a very important role in regulating the [carbon] emissions," was all he replied, reports USA Today.

Some senators, however, weren't buying Pruitt's vague claims. Senator Tammy Duckworth called out the nominee, wondering if he was just saying whatever he needed to in order to get appointed. "Are you that Mr. Pruitt [who criticized the renewable fuel standards] or the Scott Pruitt today who is saying all the right things at his confirmation hearing?" she asked at one point.

Senator Bernie Sanders also asked for Pruitt's personal opinion on climate change. When Pruitt claimed his opinion was "immaterial," Sanders didn't take the answer lightly. "You are gonna be the head of the agency to protect the environment, and your personal opinions about whether climate change is caused by human activity and carbon emissions is immaterial?" Sanders responded.

2. He denied claims that he was closely tied to fossil fuel companies

Understandably, one of the biggest concerns given Pruitt's background is how a person with connections to fossil fuel companies who has also sued the EPA on their behalf could run an effective agency. In fact, CNN reported that the National Institute on Money in State Politics found that Pruitt had received over $300,000 in funds from fossil fuel organizations since 2002.

Pruitt said that he could care about the energy industry and the environment at the same time."We must reject the false paradigm that if you are pro-energy, you are anti-environment and if you are pro-environment, you are anti-energy," he argued, according to CNN. "I utterly reject the narrative."

He's also claimed previously that EPA regulations were to blame for this lack of synergy. "The American people are tired of seeing billions of dollars drained from our economy due to unnecessary EPA regulations," Pruitt said in a statement prior to the hearing. "I intend to run this agency in a way that fosters both responsible protection of the environment and freedom for American businesses."

3. He refused to outright recuse himself from his own legal battles with the agency

Pruitt, who's been serving as the Oklahoma attorney general since 2011, wouldn't give a straight answer during his hearing as to whether or not he'd take himself off of cases he'd filed against the EPA as attorney general while leading the organization.

He said he'd decide on a "case by case" basis. "If directed to do so, I will do so," he told the committee, The Washington Post reports.

He was quickly called out by Senator Edward Markey that doing so would be unethical. "If you don’t agree to recuse yourself, then you become plaintiff, defendant, judge and jury on the cases you are bringing right now as attorney general of Oklahoma against the EPA," he responded.

4. He didn't know much about the Flint water crisis

Pruitt blamed the EPA under the Obama administration for the lack of fast response to the Flint water crisis, where the water in Flint, Michigan has been officially considered "poisoned" due to elevated lead levels for over a year and a half.

But when he was asked about acceptable levels of lead consumption for children, Pruitt didn't have an answer. "That’s something I have not reviewed nor know about. I would be concerned about any level of lead going into the drinking water, or obviously human consumption," Pruitt said in response. "But I have not looked at the scientific research."